Academy managers are responsible for health and safety within their premises, but slippery floors or loose wiring aren’t the only risks to students, staff or property.

 An environment conducive to learning also needs to be safe for students and staff. This requires adequate security, the essence of which is control of who has access to your premises.

 Your responsibility as a manager

In an educational environment, managers are responsible for health and safety within their premises and for any associated activities, as a basic statutory requirement.

Health and Safety Executive guidance also states that anyone responsible for the day-to-day running of an academy or school must ensure that effective measures are in place to manage health and safety risks; this includes carrying out a safeguarding assessment and ensuring suitable physical security measures are in place.

How you benefit from a safeguarding assessment

Teachers, teaching assistants and support staff need to feel safe in their work environment. Staff retention improves, along with morale, while students can study in a safe environment.

Every year, schools and academies report thousands of cases of arson attacks, vandalism and theft across the UK.

In addition to the cost of repairing minor vandalism or replacing a burnt out building, around £30 million a year is paid out to staff for compensation claims, so there are cost saving implications to better safeguarding.

Safeguarding your academy with S2e

Surveyors to Education (S2e) is a specialist premises planning consultancy for the Academy and Multi Academy Trust sector.

We are experienced at carrying out safeguarding assessments to premises and can advise on the appropriate physical security measures for your academy, from perimeter fencing and alarm systems to emergency procedures:

• Risk assessment

• Controlled access

• Physical security measures

• Visitor supervision and CCTV

• Signage

• Lighting

We also project manage installations to minimise disruption to an academy’s daily routine.

To learn more about how we can help make your academy safer, call 01530 276127 or email enquire@s2e.org.uk.